Short answer: Coolify is free, open-source software under the Apache-2.0 license, and you install it on a server you provide. There is no Coolify license fee. You still pay for that server, and Coolify Cloud is the paid option only when you want the Coolify team to run the dashboard.
$curl -fsSL https://cdn.coollabs.io/coolify/install.sh | sudo bash What free means
Self-hosted Coolify has no license fee. The self-hosted and Cloud comparison says all current and upcoming features are included. You pay your server provider for the machine that runs Coolify and your apps. Server size and the install steps are in the VPS guide.
Coolify Cloud is optional. The same docs list it at $5 per month for up to two connected servers, plus $3 per month for each server after that. Pricing can change. See pricing. In both cases your apps, databases, and services run on servers you connect. Cloud does not host those workloads.
What you get
- Deploys from Git. On GitHub, a GitHub App, GitHub Actions, or a repository webhook can deploy when you push. GitLab, Bitbucket, and Gitea are supported sources too. Sources.
- Databases on your server, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, Redis, Dragonfly, KeyDB, ClickHouse, and SQLite, with scheduled backups where the engine supports them. Databases. Postgres with backups.
-
Automatic HTTPS. Add the domain with
https://. Traefik or Caddy requests and renews the certificate. Open ports 80 and 443. Domains. - Builds with Nixpacks, Railpack, a Dockerfile, Compose, or a static site.
- Preview deployments for pull requests on GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Gitea.
- One-click services on a server you connect.
The license is Apache-2.0. For a sourced comparison with other self-hosted tools, see Coolify vs Dokploy vs CapRover vs Dokku vs Kamal. Heroku's own pages are the source for Heroku facts on the Heroku comparison. Static sites and previews are on the Netlify alternatives page.
FAQ
Is Coolify a free Heroku alternative?
Self-hosted Coolify has no license fee. It is open source under the Apache-2.0 license. You pay for the Linux server. Coolify Cloud is optional and paid. It runs the dashboard, and your apps still run on servers you connect.
Does Coolify deploy when I push to GitHub?
Yes. A GitHub App, GitHub Actions, or a repository webhook can start a deployment when you push. GitLab, Bitbucket, and Gitea are supported sources too. Coolify does not use a Heroku Git remote.
Can I run databases and backups?
Yes. Coolify can run PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, Redis, Dragonfly, KeyDB, ClickHouse, or SQLite on your server, with scheduled backups where the engine supports them. You operate the database.
Does Coolify issue HTTPS certificates?
Add the domain with https://. Traefik or Caddy requests and renews the certificate. Ports 80 and 443 must be open on the server.
Get started.
Install Coolify on a server you already have. If you would rather not run the dashboard, Coolify Cloud hosts it. Your apps stay on your servers.